Yesterday a clipper system pounded the northeast with blizzard conditions. Up to three feet of snow and 60 mph winds along the coast did not just cripple but paralyzed auto, rail, and air travel. On our farm here in the mountains of northeast Tennessee, the tail of the system swept through quickly but dropped just enough snow for many schools to be cancelled. I love snow days! I know that many struggle during times like these and my prayers are with those who are facing hardships because of it. For my personal life, it seems that on days like today everything moves a little slower. I have time to read a great story with my kids or bake a special treat. It is an opportunity to just slow down. Scripture tells us that we are to be purposeful is in slowing down and spending time with Christ. I think the reason snow days are such a pleasure is there is no guilt in not running hither and yon at break neck speed to accomplish the day's agenda. It is expected for safety reasons to stay home. There must be intentional times of rest and contemplation in our lives for us to stay close to Christ and maintain healthy relationships with our family.
Scripture makes it clear the importance of having restful, peaceful time with Christ. "And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." Matthew 6:31. We are to work hard at the different callings of our lives, to be diligent in our work, whatever it is. Everything we do is to be done with purpose. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24. There has to be a healthy balance. God worked for 6 days to create the universe then He rested. He created us to need rest, but why? He could have made our bodies to run our entire lives without sleep. He could have made the Earth to be daytime all the time, which is a contrast to the way it will be in heaven. There will be no darkness or night there at all. "And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:3-5. God did create us to need rest in this life. We are to come away from the distractions of this life to be rejuvenated in and by the Holy Spirit.
Our rest comes from the Lord. It is a prevalent deception in our culture that tells us we must put ourselves first in order to properly be able to care for our family. We must have "me" time. We need to follow our heart, do what feels right, do what makes you happy. I challenge anyone to show me where any of those ideas are found in scripture. A verse I love so much and have used before is Song of Solomon 2:10 "My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away." But the key is coming away with the Lord. There is a huge difference between being distracted temporarily from the challenges of this life and coming to the well OF life and being renewed to face the challenges again. Our temporary respite is not a fix. When we return from our time distracted from our struggles we are no better equipped to deal with our life than when we left. But if we spend our quiet time resting in the Lord and seeking His will, and listening to His voice, the struggles we face are much smaller and better perspective when we return.
After Jesus was baptized, which signified the beginning of his Earthly ministry, He took some time away to prepare. He did not go to the beach resort of Joppa. I'm not knockin' the beach. I love the beach! He went to spend time with the Father. He fasted for 40 days. Christ knew that He would be facing unfathomable hardships and went to the Father for the strength His human body needed. When we are depleted of all the resources we have, and life is so full that we are frazzled, we need more than a snow day. We must spend time abiding in Christ. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. I love snow days and quiet times with my family. I love going to the beach and making life long memories with them. When life feels like it is too much, distractions are not what we need. We need Christ. He is always the answer and the only answer. Whether it be an hour, an afternoon, a day, and occasionally a weekend, Kevin and I are both supportive of each other when there is a need to be with Christ. Understand there are some needs that our spouse cannot meet for us, and that is okay. Spending time alone with Christ is necessary to drawing closer to Him. We must make it a priority for ourselves and encourage our spouse to do the same.
After Jesus was baptized, which signified the beginning of his Earthly ministry, He took some time away to prepare. He did not go to the beach resort of Joppa. I'm not knockin' the beach. I love the beach! He went to spend time with the Father. He fasted for 40 days. Christ knew that He would be facing unfathomable hardships and went to the Father for the strength His human body needed. When we are depleted of all the resources we have, and life is so full that we are frazzled, we need more than a snow day. We must spend time abiding in Christ. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. I love snow days and quiet times with my family. I love going to the beach and making life long memories with them. When life feels like it is too much, distractions are not what we need. We need Christ. He is always the answer and the only answer. Whether it be an hour, an afternoon, a day, and occasionally a weekend, Kevin and I are both supportive of each other when there is a need to be with Christ. Understand there are some needs that our spouse cannot meet for us, and that is okay. Spending time alone with Christ is necessary to drawing closer to Him. We must make it a priority for ourselves and encourage our spouse to do the same.
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